A REGENERATION partnership, set up to revive communities and economies in the Durham coalfields, has secured planning permission for its 2,000th home.

The property will be at Gibside, Chester-le-Street, where Durham Villages Regeneration Company will build 78 two, three and four bedroomed houses.

When completed in 2020, the development will be the 32nd by DVRC, a partnership between Durham County Council and Keepmoat Homes, and take the total homes built to 2,059– almost a quarter of which are available for affordable rent.

Since it was established in 2001, DVRC has built homes within the reach of local, young people and has created training and job opportunities.

DVCR chairman Councillor Carl Marshall said: “It is extremely pleasing to see the partnership reaching such an impressive milestone and especially creating so many homes which are within the reach of those living in our small towns and villages, whether renters or buyers. With developments at Dipton, Peterlee, Seaham and Sherburn Hill already underway, Chester-le-Street will be the fifth live DVRC project and I welcome the benefits the development will bring for Chester-le-Street.”